Abstract
B-box proteins represent diverse zinc finger transcription factors and regulators forming large families in various plants. A unique domain structure defines them—besides the highly conserved B-box domains, some B-box (BBX) proteins also possess CCT domain and VP motif. Based on the presence of these specific domains, they are mostly classified into five structural groups. The particular members widely differ in structure and fulfill distinct functions in regulating plant growth and development, including seedling photomorphogenesis, the anthocyanins biosynthesis, photoperiodic regulation of flowering, and hormonal pathways. Several BBX proteins are additionally involved in biotic and abiotic stress response. Overexpression of some BBX genes stimulates various stress-related genes and enhanced tolerance to different stresses. Moreover, there is evidence of interplay between B-box and the circadian clock mechanism. This review highlights the role of BBX proteins as a part of a broad regulatory network in crop plants, considering their participation in development, physiology, defense, and environmental constraints. A description is also provided of how various BBX regulators involved in stress tolerance were applied in genetic engineering to obtain stress tolerance in transgenic crops.
Highlights
Intricate regulation of plant growth and development processes depends mainly on precise spatial and temporal control of gene expression mediated by chromatin modifications in reply to endogenous or external stimuli in the environment
The availability of complete plant genomic sequences has led to the identification of the B-box (BBX) gene family, consisting of 64 BBX representatives in apple, 37 in white pear, 32 in Arabidopsis, 30 in rice and potato, 29 in tomato, 25 in pear, and 24 in grapevine [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
We provide a brief story of the functionally characterized B-box-type zinc finger proteins specific to crop plants and emphasize recent evidence supporting their essential functions in plant development and stress response
Summary
Intricate regulation of plant growth and development processes depends mainly on precise spatial and temporal control of gene expression mediated by chromatin modifications in reply to endogenous or external stimuli in the environment. The diverse functions of BBX in plant growth and development range from the involvement in seedling photomorphogenesis [1,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17], seed germination, photoperiodic regulation of flowering [18,19], and shade avoidance [20,21,22] to responses to biotic and abiotic stresses that have been studied [2,23,24,25,26]. We provide a brief story of the functionally characterized B-box-type zinc finger proteins specific to crop plants and emphasize recent evidence supporting their essential functions in plant development and stress response. This review highlights a crucial role of BBX proteins as part of a broad regulatory network in crops
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
